Toy



1942- c. J SULLIVAN ET AL 2,298,431

TOY

Filed Nov. 14, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 13, 1942. c J SULLIVAN ETAL2,298,431

TOY 1 Filed Nov. 14, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 13, 1942 UNITEDSTATES ;ATENT OFFICE TOY Charles J. Sullivan and Hattie T. Leister,Arlington County, Va.

Application November 14, 1939, Serial No. 304,398

10 Claims.

This invention relates to toys and has more particular reference to toyssimulating an automotive service station and vehicles to be used inconnection therewith.

The general object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedtoy of the class described in which the appearance and operation of theelements included therein are highly realistic and adapted to appeal tochildren of all ages.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide in a toycombination of this kind means for storing and dispensing to the toyvehicles an innocuous liquid, preferably colored to imitate the variousbrands of motor fuel or lubricant on the market, and also to providemeans for readily returning this liquid from the vehicle to the storagemeans, this return of the liquid being in lieu of consuming the liquidas fuel or lubricant as in a real car.

In its preferred embodiment, the invention contemplates the provision ofa platform or base upon which is mounted a simulated buildingrepresenting the service station proper, and one or more structuressimulating gasoline or oil pumps of conventional construction. The baseor platform is preferably hollow and adapted to contain a storage tankfor the liquid, together with suitable tubing for connecting the tank tothe pumps and to suitable filling arrangements associated with theplatform.

Within each pump structure there is installed a small operative pumpingunit, preferably arranged for manual operation for economy inconstruction, and in the preferred form each pump is provided with acontainer for the liquid and a length of flexible tubing providing ahose through which the liquid may be discharged.

The motor vehicles employed in the combination toy may of course be ofany number and designed to imitate any type of car, truck, bus,aircraft, or the like. Each one is provided with a tank having a fillingopening into which the liquid may be discharged from the gasoline pumps.Since obviously the liquid cannot be consumed by the toy vehicles, meansmust be provided for emptying the tanks, and for this purpose each tankis provided with a discharge opening controlled by a valve which may beactuated either manually or'electrically. The platform or base isprovided with an opening preferably located upon a portion thereof whichrepresents a roadway or driveway, and the opening is connected bysuitable tubing with the storage tank. In order to insure that thevehicle tank discharge valve is operated only when the outlet of thistank is above the storage tank inlet opening. electromagnetic means maybe provided on the base for opening the valve on the vehicle tank. Thismagnet may be energized by means of a manually operable switch or theactuation may be effected automatically by means of contacts adapted tobe closed by the wheels of the vehicle.

Other features of novelty involve the provision of a transparent Walledcontainer in the gasoline pump and novel illuminating means inconnection therewith.

Further objects and features of novelty will be apparent from thefollowing specification when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which certain embodiments ofthe invention are illustratedby way of example.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the service station unit of one embodiment ofthe invention;

Figure 2 is a'view in front elevation of the same; 1

Figure 3 is an end elevation;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of one of the gasoline pumpstructures; 7

Figure 5 is a vertical section through a portion of the base of theservice station unit and through one of the motor vehicles, showing oneform of apparatus for emptying the tanks of the vehicles;

Figure 6 is a similar view showing another way of actuating the vehicletank discharge valve; and

, Figure 7 is a sectional view of a portion of a vehicle showing amanually operable valve mechanism.

In the drawings, the unitary service station element of thecombinationtoy is indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral Hi, thisunit come made of sheet metal and of hollow construction so as to beadapted to enclose certain auxiliary devices of the combination. Uponthe base I2 there may be secured a small building structure I4 providedwith doors and windows, and ornamented in any suitable fashion. In frontof the building there may be disposed any desired number of gasolinepump structures l5, two only being shown in-the illustrated embodiment.

In front of the filling station, represented by the building l4 and thetanks I5, there is formed in the upper surface of the platform l2 adepressed roadway or trackway I6. This trackway is adapted to guide thevehicles past the pumps and is preferably provided with ramps 11 at theends thereof, so that the vehicles may be more readily moved onto theplatform from the floor or ground upon which the toy rests. At the rearof the filling station there is provided another driveway in the form ofa depressed trackway which is designated l8, and the purpose of whichwill be more fully brought out at a later point in the specification.This trackway is also preferably provided with ramps such as shown atI9. Curved connecting drives or tracks 20 and 2| may be formed at theends of the filling station for connecting the front and rear driveways.

Beneath the hollow base there is disposed a tank 25 which may be securedto the base by soldering or by any other suitable means. This tank isadapted to provide storage means for an innocuous liquid which simulatesthe fue] and which is to be delivered to the toy vehicles. This liquidmay be water which has been colored with suitable harmless dyes inimitation of the various brands of motor fuel or lubricant on themarket. The tank is connected by means of the tubing 26 with each of thegasoline pumps l and is also provided with tubing 21 leading to a normalfilling opening adapted to be covered by the cap 28 and situated at anappropriate point on the base. Another inlet conduit for the storagetank is provided by the tubing 29 leading from a funnel-like opening 30provided in the rear driveway IS. The purpose of this arrangement willbe later described.

The pumps I5, as more clearly shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, arepreferably provided with a hollow body portion 32 made of sheet metaland secured to the base by soldering or by interfitting tongues andslots in a manner well known in the sheet metal toy art. The top of thesheet metal portion 32 is provided with an opening, the internal rim ofwhich is threaded as at 33. Into this opening the threaded neck 34 ofthe cylindrical transparent container 35 is screwed. The opening iscovered by means of a disc or plate 36 and the connection between thecontainer 35 and the base portion 32 is made liquid-tight by means of agasket 31. Within the body portion of the pump structure there isinstalled an actually operable pumping unit. In the illustrated formthere is provided a pump cylinder 40 into the bottom of which the supplyconduit 26 leads. A short tube 4| leads from the top of the pumpcylinder through the plate .36 into the container 35. An outlet tube 42leads through this same disc, and to the end of the tube 42 there may beconnected a piece of flexible tubing 44 to represent the flexibledelivery hose of the usual gasoline pump. A suitable valved nozzlemember 45 may be carried by the end of this tubing.

The pumping unit is of a very simple construction and may consist of apiston 4! provided with a flap valve 48 which cooperates with the flapvalve 49 covering the inlet opening from the tube 26. An operatinghandle 50 is fulcrumed as at SI and connected by means of a link 52 anda bail 53 with the piston 41. The pump may be operated by means of asmall electric motor or it may be manually actuated. For the sake ofsimplicity of illustration, the latter form is illustrated in thedrawings. The container 35 may be filled with liquid by a few strokes ofthe handle 50 of the pump. Upon filling the container 35 the liquid maybe discharged into the tanks of the toy vehicles through the valvednozzles 45. Upon the top of the container 35 there is clipped a sheetmetal cap or dome 55 within which a tiny electric light bulb 56 may besecured. A wire 51 leads from the socket 58 of the bulb downwardlythrough the body 32 of the pump structure, to a suitable source ofcurrent. This source of current may be a small battery, such asindicated diagrammatically at B0, or it may be a bellringing transformerprovided with suitable terminals for connection with the electriclighting circuit.

In Figure 5 of the drawings there is shown at 65, in transverse verticalcross section, one of the automotive vehicles adapted to be employed inconnection with the toy. This vehicle is an automobile of the passengertype and is provided with wheels, two of which are indicated at 66 and61. These wheels are carried on an axle 68 having hearings in the sheetmetal structure of the vehicle. A fuel tank 10 is secured as by means ofthe brackets 1| beneath the upper surface of the sheet metal body and afilling tube 12 extends through the surface of the car and is providedwith a cover or cap 13. When the vehicle 65 is moved along the drivewayl6, it is halted in front of one of the tanks I5, and the nozzle 45 isinserted in the filling opening 12 of the vehicle tank. A few strokes ofthe pump 40 will fill the container 35 with the colored fluid and theornamental effect of the device will be greatly enhanced by the lightshining downwardly through the fluid in the transparent container. Whenthe container 35 is full, the valve at the nozzle 45 is opened and thefuel tank 10 of the car is filled.

As an alternative feature, a colorless fluid, such as plain water, maybe used and the color effect obtained by using tinted glass containers35 on the pumps. In this way different colored containers may be used onthe several pumps in simulation of different brands or grades of fuel,the liquid still being drawn from a single supply tank.

After leaving the driveway l6 by means of one of the ramps I! or throughone of the side drives 20 or 2|, the vehicle may be brought into therear drive I8 for emptying the vehicle tank. The tank is provided with acylindrical downwardly extending portion 15, through an opening in theside wall of which extends a discharge tube 16 which is spaced laterallyfrom the margins of the vehicle a distance corresponding to the spacingof the funnel-like inlet opening 30 from one wall of the trackway l8.Within the cylindrical portion 15, a valve body 18 is disposed and isheld in an upward position covering the opening into the discharge tube16, by means of a very flexible spring 19. Within an opening in the basel2 within the driveway l8 and spaced laterally thereof so as to bedirectly beneath the valve member 18 as the vehicle passes thereover,there is disposed an electromagnet 80, this magnet being energized bycurrent from the battery or transformer 68 whenever the push-button 8!of the switch 82 is depressed. Thus, when the vehicle is disposed asindicated in the drawings with the discharge opening 16 over the catchfunnel 30 and the valve body 18 over the magnet 80, the making ofcontact at the switch 82 will cause the magnet to move the valve body 18downwardly until the opening in the discharge tube 16 is uncovered. Thenthe fluid will flow from the tank 10 into the funnel 30 and thencethrough the tubing 29 to the storage tank 25.

Instead of the manually operated means for actuating the discharge valveof the vehicle, there may be provided an automatic device such asillustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings. The wheels 66 and 61 connectedby the axle 68 are made of metal in this embodiment and are adapted torest respectively upon the electric contacts 85 and 86 set in thedriveway l8 and suitably insulated from the base structure. A wire 81connects the contact 86 with the magnet 80 which is in turn connected bymeans of the wiring 88 with one pole of the battery. A wire 89 connectsthe contact 85 with the other pole of the battery and it is obvious thatthe circuit will be completed to actuate the valve, through the wheelsand axle of the car when the wheels rest upon the contacts. Obviouslythe contacts 85 and 85, the magnet 88, and the catch funnel 30 are alldisposed in a definite spacial relationship to each other for theactuation of the valve at the proper time when the discharge tube isover the funnel and the valve 18 is directly above the magnet 88.

In a cheaper construction, the outlet valve member, designated 18' inFigure 7 of the drawings, may be manually operated. For this purpose astem 98 is secured to the valve body 18' and extends through an opening9| in the upper part of the tank and is guided through another opening92 in the top of the car body. The upper end of the rod 90 may beprovided with a knob or button 93 which may be depressed to move thevalve against the tension of the spring 19 to open position.

By means of the present invention there has been provided a novel andattractive toy combination which through its accurate simulation ofactual procedures exerts a strong appeal to children, and which alsoembodies certain novel details of construction and operation whichrender the device easy to construct and operate.

Various changes may be made in the embodiments illustrated withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A toy automotive combination comprising a simulated automotivevehicle and a service station therefor, said vehicle being provided witha tank with inlet and outlet openings therein, said service stationcomprising a simulated gasoline pump structure and storage tank, aninnocuous liquid adapted for transfer from the storage tank to the pumpand thence to the vehicle tank, a conduit leading from said storage tankto said pump, actually operative liquid pumping means in said simulatedpump structure, and discharge connections for transferring said liquidfrom said vehicle tank to said storage tank.

2. A toy automotive combination comprising a simulated automotivevehicle and a service station therefor, said vehicle being provided witha tank with inlet and outlet openings therein, means for controllingsaid outlet opening to empty said vehicle tank, said service stationcomprising a pump simulating in appearance the conventional gasolinepump structure and a storage tank, an innocuous liquid adapted fortransfer from the storage tank to the pump and thence to the Vehicletank, and means for effecting said transfers, an inlet connection forsaid storage tank and means for disposing said vehicle in proximity tosaid inlet connection for return of said fluid from the vehicle to saidstorage tank.

3. A toy automotive combination comprising a simulated automotivevehicle and a service station therefor, said vehicle being provided witha tank with inlet and outlet openings therein, means for controllingsaid outlet opening to empty said vehicle tank, said service stationcomprising a supporting base, a pump on said base simulating inappearance the conventional gasoline pump structure, a storage tanksupported by said base, an innocuous liquid adapted for transfer fromthe storage tank to the pump and thence to said vehicle tank, liquidtransfer connections between said pump and said storage tank, an inletconnection for said storage tank', atrackway for guiding said vehicleacross said base and past said pump for transfer of liquid to saidvehicle tank, and a trackway for guiding said vehicle across said basein close proximity to said storage tank inlet connection. whereby saidliquid may be readily returned from said vehicle to said storage tank.

4. A toy automotive combination comprising a simulated automotivevehicle and a service station therefor, said vehicle being provided witha tank with inlet and outlet openings therein. means for controllingsaid outlet opening to empty said vehicle tank, said service stationcomprising a hollow supporting base, a pump on said base simulating inappearance the conventional gasoline pump structure, a storage tankwithin said base, an innocuous liquid adapted for transfer from thestorage tank to said pump and thence to said vehicle tank, liquidtransfer connections between said pump and said stora e tank, an inletconnection for said storage tank, ramps and a trackway for guiding saidvehicle across said base and past said pump for transfer of liquid tosaid vehicle tank, and ramps and a trackway for guiding said. vehicleacross said base in close proximity to and at a higher level than saidstorage tank inlet connection, whereby said liquid may be readilydischarged from said vehicle into said storage tank.

5. A toy automotive combination comprising a simulated automotivevehicle and a service station therefor, said vehicle being provided witha tank with inlet and outlet openings therein. means for controllingsaid outlet opening to empty said vehicle tank, said service stationcomprising a hollow supporting base, a simulated building on said baseand a pump simulating in appearance the conventional gasoline pumpstructure in front thereof, a storage tank within said base, aninnocuous liquid adapted for transfer from the storage tank to the pumpand thence to said vehicle tank, liquid transfer connections betweensaid pump and said storage tank, an

inlet connection for said storage tank, ramps and a trackway for guidingsaid vehicle across said base and past said pump and in front of saidbuilding for transfer of liquid to said vehicle tank, and ramps and atrackway for guiding said vehicle across said base behind said buildingand in close proximity to said storage tank inlet connection, wherebysaid liquid may be readily discharged from said vehicle into saidstorage tank.

6. A toy automotive combination comprising a simulated automotivevehicle and a service station therefor, said vehicle being provided witha tank with inlet and outlet openings therein, means for controllingsaid outlet opening to empty said vehicle tank, said service stationcomprising a supporting base, a pump on said base simulating inappearance the conventional gasoline pump structure, a storage tanksupported by said base, an innocuous liquid adapted'for transfer fromthe storage tank to the pump and thence to said vehicle tank, liquidtransfer connections between said pump and said storage tank, an inletconnection for said storage tank, a trackway for guiding said vehicleacross said base and past said pump for transfer of liquid to saidvehicle tank, a trackway for guiding said vehicle across said base inclose proximity to said storage tank inlet connection, whereby saidliquid may be readily returned from said vehicle to said storage tank,and means on said base for actuating said outlet opening controllingmeans only when said vehicle is in the proper position with respect tosaid tank inlet connection to discharge said liquid into saidconnection.

7. A toy automotive combination comprising a simulated automotivevehicle and a service station therefor, said vehicle being provided witha tank with inlet and outlet openings therein, a movable valve elementfor controlling said outlet opening to empty said vehicle tank, saidservice station comprising a supporting base, a pump on said basesimulating in appearance the convention a gasoline pump structure, astorage tank supported by said base, an'innocuous liquid adapted fortransfer from the storage tank to the pump and thence to said vehicletank, liquid transfer connections between said pump and said storagetank, an inlet connection for said storage tank, a trackway for guidingsaid vehicle across said base and past said pump for transfer of liquidto said vehicle tank, a trackway for guiding said vehicle across saidbase in close proximity to said storage tank inlet connection, wherebysaid liquid may be readily returned from said vehicle to said storagetank, and an electromagbase and entirely beneath the level of saidtrackway, conduits connecting said storage tank and said pump, fillingmeans for said tank opening adjacent said trackway, and discharge meanson said pump.

9. A toy automotive combination comprising a simulated automotivevehicle and a service station therefor, said vehicle being provided witha tank with inlet and outlet openings therein, means for controllingsaid outlet opening to empty said vehicle tank, said service stationcomprising a supporting base, a pump on said base simulating inappearance the conventional gasoline pump structure, a storage tankdisposed beneath said base, an innocuous liquid adapted for transferbetween said vehicle tank and said storage tank, an inlet connection forsaid storage tank, a trackway for guiding said vehicle across said baseand past said pump, a trackway for guiding said vehicle across said basein close proximity to said storage tank inlet connection, whereby saidliquid may be readily returned from said vehicle to said storage tank,and means on said base for actuating said outlet opening controllingmeans.

10. A toy automotive combination comprising a simulated automotivevehicle and a service station therefor, said vehicle being provided witha tank with inlet and outlet connections therein, a movable valveelement for controlling said outlet opening to empty said vehicle tank,said service station comprising a supporting base, a pump on said basesimulating in appearance the conventional gasoline pump structure, astorage tank disposed beneath said base, an innocuous liquid adapted fortransfer from said vehicle tank to said storage tank, an inletconnection for said storage tank, a trackway for guiding said vehicleacross said base in close proximity to said storage tank inletconnection, whereby said liquid may be readily returned from saidvehicle to said storage tank, and an electromagnet on said base formoving said valve element only when said vehicle is in the properposition with respect to said tank inlet connection to discharge saidliquid'into said connection.

CHARLES J. SULLIVAN. I-lZATTIE T. LEISTER,

